The University Magazine

New deans take helms of CAST and COLA

COLA Dean Ulin

CAST Dean Walker

As of Aug. 1, two of RIT’s colleges have new leadership. Robert Ulin, former chair of the Department of Anthropology at Western Michigan University and an expert in the theory and the anthropology of work, is the new dean of the College of Liberal Arts. H. Fred Walker, a veteran teacher, scholar and administrator from the University of Southern Maine, is dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology.

(In addition, Jeremy Haefner, RIT’s new senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, took office on July 1. See story.)

Ulin joined Western Michigan in 1999 and focused on enhancing the national reputation of the department and increasing ties with other academic units. Prior to joining Western Michigan, Ulin served as chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Alleghany College.

He is the author of three books including Understanding Cultures: Perspectives in Anthropology and Social Theory. He has a particular interest in the development of the wine industry in various cultures and has lectured and written widely on the topic.

CAST’s Dean Walker has served as chair of the technology department at the University of Southern Maine since 2002 and led department faculty in the development and implementation of a strategic plan in addition to the development of student recruitment and retention plans.

Walker began his academic career as an assistant professor at the University of Southern Maine in 1995. He served nine years in the U.S. Navy in a number of technological capacities, concluding his Naval career in 1992 as a program manager in information systems administration.